Superintendent's Office

Randall (Randy) Gawel

Superintendent

Biography

     Randy Gawel became the Orange East Supervisory Union Superintendent in 2022 after joining as the Assistant Superintendent in 2021. This follows twenty-four years as a teacher, coach, mentor, assistant principal, director, and principal in Michigan.  

Randy grew up in Franconia, New Hampshire and spent his youth taking full advantage of the many outdoor activities the Green and White Mountains had to offer. After graduating from high school, he received his undergraduate degree from Lyndon State College where he studied English and history. He then attended graduate school at Boston College and earned a Masters in Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction. Then, while teaching high school, coaching, and leading several student clubs, Randy earned his Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Wayne State University. Randy has served as an educational leader in a number of communities throughout his career, bringing positive change to areas of climate, culture, academic growth, and collaboration wherever he has been. Despite the many challenges of operating schools in a pandemic, he has absolutely loved the time he has thus far spent with the OESU school communities and looks forward to building upon the relationships he has already begun with the many wonderful folks who work and live here.

Having worked in a variety of school settings, the short time that he has been with OESU has served to solidify for Randy that there is no place he would rather be. Not only is he thankful for the opportunity to be part of our schools, he has also worked to become part of the community, serving as a member of the Bradford Business Association, Bradford Steering Committee, Bradford Resilience, Cohase Rotary Club of the upper Valley, and the Piermont Fire Department.  

During his free time, Randy enjoys reading, fishing, and spending time with his wife Leah, daughter Sophia and Golden Retrievers, Charlie and Walt, living their lives as fully as possible in honor of their son, Sam.

 

John L. Barone Sr.

Assistant Superintendent

Biography

     John Barone joined the Orange East Supervisory Union as the Assistant Superintendent in 2022. This follows six years as the Director of Curriculum and Co-Principal (for grades seven through twelve) at Blue Mountain Union School. For thirty-six years John has served as a teacher, Dean of Students/Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Curriculum, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent in a variety of school districts across the state of Vermont and one year in the state of Maryland.

John grew up in Rutland, Vermont and with the exception of one year (when he and his family moved to the state of Maryland) has remained in Vermont. John received his undergraduate degree from Castleton State College in History, Secondary Education and Spanish. He received his Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Castleton State College as well. John earned his Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership through an on-line program. John has served a variety of schools and communities over the last thirty-six years. He has served students and communities in a variety of positions at: Poultney High School, Archbishop Spalding High School (in Maryland), Essex High School, Colchester Middle School, the Barre Supervisory Union, the Milton Town School District, and the Blue Mountain Union School District.

When not at work, John enjoys riding his bicycle, fishing, reading, and spending time with his children – Lauren and Dan Ozimek and John Barone, Jr.